CHAPTER XV.
"_Lucy_--Are all these wretches slaves?
_Stanley_--All sold, they and their posterity, all slaves.
_Lucy_--O! miserable fortune! _Bland_--Most of them know no better, but were Born so, and only change their masters." _Oroonoko_ The party were up at an early hour on the ensuing morning, that they might enjoy the delightful freshness of the air, which so soon evaporates before the scorching rays of the tropical sun.

They were joined at breakfast by the doctor who attended the estate, and who had called in to announce the birth of a little negro boy in the early part of the night.
"Who did you say, doctor ?" answered the planter, "Mattee Sally?
Why, I thought Jane Ascension was in advance of her." "They were running it _neck and neck_, sir," replied the surgeon.
"How is she--quite hearty ?" "Quite, sir; but very anxious about the child's name, and requests to speak with you as soon as you have breakfasted." "We will go to her.

You have no idea," observed the planter to Mr Berecroft and Newton, "what importance these people attach to the naming of their children.

Nothing but a fine long name will satisfy them.

I really believe, that if I refused her, or called the boy Tom, she would eat dirt.